It’s easy to ignore weak sentences because they’re usually grammatically correct.
They don’t get flagged by grammar checkers, and they’re easy to skim past while you’re writing.
But during editing, certain sentences start to stand out because something feels slightly off. Maybe it’s too wordy, the idea feels flat, or it’s harder to read than it should be.
The problem is that it’s not always obvious what to change. You can tell the sentence isn’t working, but you can’t immediately see why. That’s where a simple three-step process can help you identify what needs fixing.
3 Quick steps to fix weak sentences
Weak sentences are grammatically correct sentences that lack clarity, focus, or natural flow. When you find a weak sentence and aren’t sure how to improve it, these three questions can help you form strong sentences.
Step 1. What am I really saying? → Clarify the meaning
Reduce the sentence to its core idea by removing any unnecessary words or phrases.
This leaves you with the essential meaning of the sentence.
Step 2. What needs emphasis? → Find the focus
Look at your simplified sentence and identify the main ideas.
Then rewrite it in two ways, placing emphasis on a different idea in each version. This helps you see which focus creates the strongest sentence.
Step 3. Does it work when read aloud? → Check the rhythm
Read both versions and decide which one sounds more natural.
Now, let’s look at how focus affects weak sentences, and some specific examples using this process.
Fixing weak expletive sentences (step-by-step example)
One common reason sentences feel weak is the use of expletive constructions such as there is, there are, it is, or it was.
Here’s an example of a weak sentence and how the three steps improve it.
Example 1: Original sentence
There are a couple of misplaced commas, but other than that minor point, your text reads very well.
1. What is the sentence saying?
Your text has a couple of misplaced commas, but reads well.
2. What needs emphasis? → Find the focus
Is the focus on the commas or the text?
Option 1. Your text reads very well, apart from a couple of misplaced commas.
Option 2. A couple of misplaced commas are in your text, but otherwise, it reads very well.
3. Does it work when read aloud?
Option 1 keeps the focus on the quality of the text, which is the main point of the sentence.
The expletive is usually very easy to edit out of most sentences, making a sentence immediately stronger.
Next time you see one, think about changing it.
Fixing a weak passive sentence example
Another common reason sentences feel weak is passive voice. That’s not to say passive voice is always a bad idea, but it can often be improved.
Example 2: Original sentence
The manuscript was reviewed by three editors, but despite this process, several errors remained in the text.
1. What is the sentence saying?
Three editors reviewed the manuscript, but several errors remained.
2. What needs emphasis?
Is the focus on the editors or the remaining errors?
Option 1: Three editors reviewed the manuscript, but several errors remained.
Option 2: Several errors remained, even after three editors reviewed the manuscript.
3. Does it work when read aloud?
Option 2 places more emphasis on the surprising outcome, which is the stronger option.
Telltale signs of weak sentences
Short and very short sentences are usually strong sentences because they emphasize a specific point without using many filler words.
However, very long, complex sentences often contain more than one idea or thought and can often bury the main topic within a cluster of extra words, phrases, or clauses, which can make it difficult to read and understand.
Well, that’s a very long, confusing sentence. Let me try to fix it.
1. What is the sentence saying?
The main idea can be buried in long, complex sentences.
2. What needs emphasis?
Is the focus on the main idea or on long, complex sentences?
Option 1: The main idea can be buried within long, complex sentences, making it difficult to read.
Option 2: Long, complex sentences can bury the main idea, making it difficult to read.
3. Does it work when read aloud?
Option 2 is clearer because it puts the action first and immediately identifies the cause of the problem.
Other ways to change the focus of a sentence
Focus is about what you want your reader to remember. But it’s not always at the beginning of a sentence. Here are a few other techniques you can use.
1. End a sentence with impact
One way to write a stronger sentence is to move the focus to the end to make a point more noteworthy or memorable.
Patience was her greatest asset.
She knew that her greatest asset was patience.
2. Removing “I” in first-person sentences
First-person writing can suffer from too many sentences that start with “I.”
But it’s usually possible to move to the focus away from the writer.
I’ve lived in London for 10 years.
London has been my home for ten years.
3. Cleft sentences
Cleft sentences are an easy way to move the focus in a sentence.
It was the end of the sentence that worried me.
What worried me was the end of the sentence.
4. Fronting
Fronting is a literary device that moves parts like an object, adverb, or complement to the very beginning of a sentence.
He has always been a true friend.
A true friend, he has always been.
Conclusion
Weak sentences don’t always need a complete rewrite.
Most of the time, the problem is a lack of clear focus. A sentence contains more than one idea, and it isn’t always clear which should take priority.
That’s why deciding what deserves the most attention can quickly strengthen a sentence.
In other words, it’s usually a question of placement and order. The beginning of a sentence is often the best place, but the end of a sentence can also make a memorable point.
A weak sentence is often one where the main point is hidden in the middle, surrounded by less important information.
Next time you’re editing and notice a sentence that’s not quite right, remember to ask yourself these three questions:
What am I saying?
What needs emphasis?
Does it read smoothly?
The answers will usually show you exactly what needs fixing.
Related Reading: 10 Easy Sentence Structure Variations
